Continuous fastener



Dec. 17, 1935. H. E. slPE CONTINUOUS FASTENER Filed Oct. 6, 1935 gg IWI r 9N /H///////w Jij IAA )Al JNVENToR. Harry E. Spe

' RNEYS.

10'l BY j W w, 0, .A

Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

8Claims.

My invention relates to continuous fasteners and more particularly to such fasteners for closing the mouths of pocket books, tobacco pouches or the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a fastener of this type which is inexpensive to make and easy to operate. Furthermore, a tight closure which eifectively prevents leakage is obtained.

Another object of my invention is to produce a continuous, air tight closure which does not require a slide for its operation, but can be opened by a pull in a transverse direction and closed by the normal contraction of the parts of the closure after pulling in a longitudinal direction.

The invention in general comprises two parallel elastic strips having interlocking portions thereon. The strips can be separated by pulling them apart transversely while they may be again interlocked by longitudinal stretching. Preferably, each strip is of rubber pre-formed to the desired shape and vulcanized to such shape. The form chosen is such that the parts always tend to assume the closed position and must be stretched to release the closure. Each strip has lugs or projections thereon separated by sockets whose size is increased or shape so changed by separation or stretching of the strips as to permit the projections to escape from and reenter the sockets.

I prefer to form the projections of rubber as these rubber elements by their contact will form an air-tight seal. However, I may form the proiections of metal, in which case the closure may still be operated in the same fashion.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood more fully from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms a part thereof.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation a, bag to which my fastener is applied. v

Fig."2 is a top plan view of the fastener element invclosed position. Y

Fig.' 3 is a similar view showing the fastener in stretched condition as it is being closed.

F'ig.4is across section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

I'i.5and6areviewssimilartoFigs.2and 3 of. a modified form of fastener.

Figs. 'I and 8 are further views similar to Figs. 2 and 3 of still another form.

Pig. 1 shows a bag l, for example a pocket book qt tobacco pouch, having its upper edge closed by my fastener. The fastener comprises two parallel strips4 ofrubberorsomeotherstretchable, and

preferably resilient, material. 'Ihese strips are secured along the inner edges of the bag opening by an adhesive or in any other suitable manner. The ends 6 of the strips are preferably (but not necessarily) secured together by vulcanizing or '-5 cementing to form pull tabs I6.

, The strips 4 are shaped in the manner shown in Fig. 2, being folded into this form and then vulcanized so that they will always assume this shape when free. Each strip has projecting poi-4 10 tions 8 separated by sockets or recesses I0. the sockets and projections being of course staggered on the opposed strips. The projections and sockets are substantially triangular, the bases of the projections and the outlets of the sockets being smaller than the remaining parts. Obviously this interlocked arrangement will normally prevent separation of the two strips and will keep thev bag closed. In eiect, the sockets are the spaces between the projections and are of the same size as the projections. 'I'he connecting portions i5 of the strip between `the projections 8 are made in such a Way as to be deformable to elongate the distance between projections. 'I'his will cause expansion of the recesses i0 to permit the pro- 25 jections of the opposite strip to enter and pass out. Preferably the connecting portions are normally set in a devious line so that when they are stretched into more nearly a straight line the strips as a whole will be elongated. Whenever the terms "deformable andstretchableare used herein they are intended to describe fastener strips of a size useful for the purposes set forth in this specification and to denne the quality of substantial deformation or stretching by a usual Y ceed progressively to the ends of the strips, and v the whole mouth of the bag will be open.

To close the bag, the end portions 6 are grasped and drawn. apart, causing the strips to assume the shape shown in Fig. 3. The projections are then within the sockets. When the ends are released, the sockets contract and lock the pro- 5g jections in closed position, taking again the form shown in Fig. 2.

-In Figs. 5 and 6, the tongues or projections I' and sockets III' are of somewhat different shape, the tongues being of substantially uniform thickness but arranged at an acute angle to thel longitudinal direction of the strips. The sockets, being the spaces between the projections, will slope in the same way.

This arrangement is opened and closed in exactlyf the same fashion as the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The angular interlocking tongues normally prevent separation, but tension applied to the pull members is enough to separate the tongues and thus to open the fastener. To close. the fastener the ends are pulled, drawing the parts to the positionv shown in Fig. 6,*and then released.

Figs. 'l and 8 show a further form havingsockets I0" and projections 8" of the same general form as in Figs. 1 to 4. In this form, however, the construction is more solid, and might be stamped or otherwise cut from rubber. This modification operates in the manner previously described.

While I have described my strips as composed of rubber, it is quite evident that theyrmight be formed in some other manner. For example, the projections may be formed of metal or other hard material secured together resiliently. The essential feature of the invention is the provision of sockets and tongues some of which can be deformed by a transverse pull so as to release the projections and by a longitudinal force so as to permit the reentry of the projections. There are many obvious advantages, however, in forming the fastener entirely of rubber or some similar material.

It will be evident that the material of the bag should be somewhat, gathered or puckered at the point of attachment of the strip (as at I4) so as to permit the strip to expand. While I have described herein some embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible strips each having uniformly spaced projections thereon, connecting portions between said projections and recesses between the projections having a normal shape corresponding to the shape of the projections, the recesses and projections on the two strips being staggered and so shaped that they willinterlock together when 5 intermeshed, the connecting portions between said projections being deformable by a force applied longitudinally of the fastener to expand said recesses sufiiciently to permit free entrance of said projections into said recesses. l0

2. A fastener comprising a pair of exible strips each having uniformly shaped projections thereon, connecting portions between said projections and recesses between the projections having a normal shape corresponding to the l5 shape of the projections, the recesses and pro- A jections on the two strips being staggered and so shaped that they will interlock together when intermeshed, each connecting portion being normally set in a devious line and being deformable 20 into more nearly a straight line by force applied longitudinally of the fastener, whereby the recesses are expanded sufliciently to permit entrance of said projections into said recesses.

3. A fastener according to claim 1 wherein 25 the material of the strips is rubber and wherein each of said connecting portions is normally set in a devious line whereby a straight longitudinal pull will deform said wall into a straight line to expand said recess.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein pull tabs are provided at the ends of the strips for exerting a longitudinal force on the strips to close the fastener.

5. The combination defined in claim 1 where- 35 in pull tabs are provided at the-ends of the fastener for stretching it longitudinally to close the fastener, and whereby pull tabs are provided intermediate the ends to exert a cross-wise pull for opening the fastener. 40

6. The combination set forth in claim l wherein the projections are of substantially T-shape.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the projections and recesses are approximately triangular in shape with the wide end of the projection being farthest from the strip.

8. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the projections and recesses are hook shaped.

HARRY E. SIPE. 

